Our guests in The Sustainable Hour on 21 December 2016 are climate activist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez from the United States and Australian singer Missy Higgins. We take a look at what is ahead in the new year, and also listen to audio clips with American senator Bernie Sanders, actor Mark Ruffalo, and author Joanna Macy.
Listen to The Sustainable Hour no. 153 on 94.7 The Pulse:
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LISTENER SERVICE:
Content of this hour
Links, excerpts and more information about what we talked about in this Sustainable Hour
The context on which we broadcasted this 153rd edition of The Sustainable Hour:
“For the second year in a row, the Arctic is facing a late December heat wave (at least by Arctic winter standards). Temperatures are forecast to soar about 10°C (50°F) above normal, which would bring them near the freezing point at the North Pole. As isolated data points, the back-to-back winter warm-ups would be weird. But taken in the larger context, it’s part of an unsettling trend for a region that is being rapidly reshaped by climate change.”
» Climate Central – 21 December 2016:
Temperatures Are Soaring at the North Pole … Again
“Official data quietly released before Christmas shows emissions rose 0.8% in the year to June and will miss 2030 goal based on current policies”
» The Guardian – 22 December 2016:
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are rising and forecast to miss 2030 target
Bernie Sanders
» The Churchillian Challenge Radio Relay
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Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez’s campaigning for climate action led him to become a youth plaintiff against the United States for failing to protect the atmosphere. To support this litigation, Xiuhtezcatl has met with representatives from all three branches of government working to garner support and create a climate recovery plan based on NASA scientist James Hansen’s work. Over 80 members of congress, including the Congressional Progressive Caucus, publicly supports the youth delegation.
» Home page: www.earthguardians.org/xiuhtezcatl
» Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EarthGuardiansTribe
» ABC Radio National – 15 December 2016:
Meet the 16 year-old suing the US government over climate change
A stable climate system is a constitutional right
21 kids from across the United States, ages 9 to 20, have taken their government to federal court, demanding science-based action on climate change. On 10 November 2016, the federal court in Eugene, Oregon, decided in favour of the 21 youth plaintiffs in their “groundbreaking” constitutional climate lawsuit against President Obama, numerous federal agencies, and the fossil fuel industry.
U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken completely rejected all arguments to dismiss raised by the federal government and the fossil fuel industry, determining that the young plaintiffs’ constitutional and public trust claims could proceed. Now, the 21 plaintiffs are preparing for trial in what is believed to be a turning point in United States constitutional history.
» Media release – 10 November 2016:
Victory for America’s Youth – Constitutional Climate Lawsuit against U.S. to Proceed
‘We will see you in court’
“Every person, regardless of age, race, gender or religion has the right to a clean environment and a safe future – and the U.S. government’s continued acts that prevent meaningful climate recovery undermine that right,” the 21 kids argue.
“It gives me great pleasure to say ‘we will see you in court’ to the federal government,” Daniel Jubelirer told reporters.
Jubelirer is a youth delegate from SustainUS and a member of Earth Guardians, a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit.
“President Obama is currently named; but now we will be directly suing Donald Trump for climate inaction.” A broad grin spread across his face at that sentence. “This trial is going to be the trial of our generation. We are going to trial in a case that everyone told us was impossible…. I’m really stoked,” Jubelirer said.
Jeffrey Sachs, director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute and a senior advisor to the United Nations Secretary General — not to mention one of the most knowledgeable Americans about the economics of climate policy — spoke with emotion about the importance of the news.
Sachs seemed more concerned than stoked, and warned that the U.S. is on track to be a global outcast. “The U.S. would be a country completely standing on its own if it tried anything so unwise as to unravel [the Paris Agreement]. I do not believe the American people want to stand alone against the other 95.5 percent of the world’s population, and become a pariah nation.”
The above is an excerpt from Pacific Standard’s article Can a Surprise Lawsuit in Oregon Save American Climate Policy? published on 11 November 2016.
“This action is of a different order than the typical environmental case. It alleges that defendants’ actions and inactions — whether or not they violate any specific statutory duty — have so profoundly damaged our home planet that they threaten plaintiffs’ fundamental constitutional rights to life and liberty.”
~ Ann Aiken, U.S. District Judge
On 19 December 2016, Judge Hollis Hill of the Washington Superior Court in Seattle issued another powerful climate justice decision in a Washington state climate lawsuit. Amplifying the urgency of the youths’ claims, the court found “emergent need for coordinated science based action by the state of Washington to address climate change.”
Articulating that “it is time for these youth to have the opportunity to address their concerns in a court of law, concerns raised under statute and under the state and federal constitution,” the Judge gave the youth permission to add claims against the state and its Governor to advance their case.
» Read Judge Hill’s complete decision here.
You can support the 21 kids in their lawsuit to get the U.S. Government to take climate change seriously by adding your name to their petition:
» Petition: Kids vs. U.S. Government & Big Oil: Adopt A Climate Recovery Plan Now
More info about the court case:
» The Stranger – 21 December 2016:
ICYMI: The Climate Kids’ Case Against the State (and Now the Governor) Will Go to Trial in the New Year
» Motherboard – 11 November 2016:
Kids Win the Right to Sue the US Government Over Climate Change
Previous post about Xiuhtezcatl Martinez:
» The Sustainable Hour – 14 August 2015:
Intergenerational call for climate action
Company directors to face penalties for ignoring climate change
Directors of an Australian company will one day face legal action for neglecting climate
“Any Australian business leaders who think they got away with sticking their heads in the sand should think again. New legal advice by senior Sydney silk Noel Hutley suggests it is almost certain that directors of an Australian company will one day face legal action for neglecting to properly account for the potential impact of climate change on their business.
“It is likely to be only a matter of time before we see litigation against a director who has failed to perceive, disclose or take steps in relation to a foreseeable climate-related risk that can be demonstrated to have caused harm to a company (including, perhaps, reputational harm),” the advice, commissioned by the Centre for Policy Development and the Future Business Forum, titled ‘Climate Change and Directors Duties’ concludes.”
Jessica Irvine
» Sydney Morning Herald – 31 October 2016:
Company directors to face penalties for ignoring climate change
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Missy Higgins
Few singers say or write anything on the topic of climate change. Missy Higgins stands out as one of the few Australian singers who are making a difference both with her songwriting and with what she publishes in writing.
This was what Missy Higgins wrote on 5 October 2016 on her Facebook page:
“For some time I’ve been intermittently crippled with anxiety about the notion of bringing kids into a world that seems more volatile and more uncertain than ever. Are there any other parents out there that have this anxiety that I have about the unknown, potentially catastrophic future that may be in store for our kids? I honestly don’t know what to do with these feelings. It makes me want to cry on a regular basis when I read about the irreversible things we’ve done to the Earth and what it will almost certainly mean for the near future. Scientists are saying we are pretty much at the point of no return now. I was told at a humanitarian event last night that my child’s generation will probably not reach retirement age. It took everything I had to squash that thought down for the duration of the evening so that I didn’t run home in tears. But according to the smartest people IN THE WORLD, we are hurtling towards terrifyingly unknown territory as far as environmental disaster goes, that any day now we will reach a tipping point like we could never imagine in our worst nightmares. This is dark and horribly uncomfortable stuff (not to mention sickeningly guilt-inducing as far as parenthood goes) to think about, I know. But it’s actually fucking happening. So surely it’s important not to shy away from it if we are to truly try to do something about it? If it’s not too late?
I can’t be the only person out there losing sleep over this. Please speak up if you are too!”
The 1,000 comments and replies quite clearly illustrate that Missy Higgins is not alone out there with her feelings of anxiety and questions about the future. Close to 5,000 people responded to Higgins’ Facebook post during the first day. 700 shared it.
On Tuesday 22 November 2016, Missy Higgins wrote a ‘cultural revelation’ in The Guardian. The headline went like this: Missy Higgins: how an obsession with apocalyptic climate fiction changed my life
Higgins’ piece ended with these lines:
“There my son was, glowing in all his angelic innocence, playing with the product of this sick, disposable dream. I wanted to cry. I wanted to collapse down to my knees, hold him and tell him I was sorry. That I didn’t know what the future held and I was scared. So scared. But instead, I watched him in all his wonder, in his blissful little bubble and I stayed there. If only for a sweet, sweet moment, I stayed there and I forgot.”
Missy Higgins
“We are doomed to a future that will be unprecedented in human history”
The climate crisis is beginning to show its true face around the planet, and people are scared. The scientists, who know what is coming, even more so. How will we be able to explain to our children that the mess they have been left to clean up is because of a greedy minority who did everything in their power to resist change, who created doubt, who infiltrated politics and who bought off technological advances and shelved them just to keep making a profit on their dirty fossils – while we looked the other way, pretended it wasn’t happening and did nothing?
Here are two examples of the over 250 responses to Missy Higgins’ blogpost:
“It’s a shame it takes a personal investment in the future to make someone look hard at the present, but still kudos to MH for doing it and writing about it here. To all the other mums and dads (and grandparents) out there who haven’t made the connection, what the heck are you doing? The place where your precious offspring are going to try to live is cooking.”
JB1010 – commenting on the above article in The Guardian by Missy Higgins
“60 people control 50% of the world’s wealth. 8 out 12 of the world’s wealthiest companies are fossil fuel companies. When these people and these companies decide or are forced by Governments to do something effective related to their emissions and global warming then we are doomed to a future that will be unprecedented in human history since humans first stood upright on the savanah a couple of million years ago. It is only 50 years away. That is when we begin to run out of fossil fuels, that is when that the CO2 levels will be such that it will take at least a million years for them to return to the 200 to 300 ppm norm throughout human history. A geo/ecological change of this magnitude in such a small geological time frame as 200 years, when such changes normally take millions of years is not likely to have a good outcome. To think otherwise is sheer arrogance and averice.”
Mancan18 – commenting on the above article in The Guardian by Missy Higgins
» We dedicated The Sustainable Hour no. 149 to Missy Higgins:
Sunlight at the end of the tunnel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x-pCXfr3ts
Musicians at the forefront of social change
“Musicians have an amazing influence – tapping into our emotions, changing the way we think, influencing the food we eat and the clothes we wear, literally putting words in our mouths. From the civil rights movement in the USA to indigenous rights in Australia, from the feminist movement to nuclear disarmament, musicians have been at the forefront of social change since time immemorial. The special skills of engaging communication and leading by example make musicians invaluable to any process of change,” says Tim Hollo from Green Music Australia.
Green Music Australia has researched this vital role, looking at social and cultural theory and history, communications theory and practice and more. You can read the detail in the report, ‘Key Change’.
In The Sustainable Hour in 2015, Tim Hollo talked about Green Music Australia and the organisation’s plastic water bottles campaign. Hollo is board chair and CEO of Green Music Australia.
» Home page: www.greenmusic.org.au
More information about musicians and climate action:
» Concerned musicians communicate climate problems
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Mark Ruffalo
The divestment movement blossoms
“It started with the students. Of course it did. Because the students are a moral authority. They haven’t been corrupted yet by the influence of money. And so their voices and their hearts are pure. They know what is happening. And it is terrifying to them. And so you have a giant social movement starting to blossom in the world today. Because children, the young people know that their lives are at stake, their futures are at stake. All the money in the world doesn’t mean a goddamn thing if the world is burning around them. If they don’t have water. If the air isn’t clean. And if the sun and the elements and the weather become their constant enemy.”
Mark Ruffalo, American Hollywood actor
» Transcript and more info on www.democracynow.org
» The Guardian – 13 December 2016:
Fossil fuel divestment funds double to $5tn in a year
“UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon welcomes new total revealing concern over coal, oil and gas investments has entered financial mainstream.”
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“A revolution is underway because people are realizing that our needs can be met without destroying our world. We have the technical knowledge, the communication tools, and material resources to grow enough food, ensure clean air and water, and meet rational energy needs. Future generations, if there is a livable world for them, will look back at the epochal transition we are making to a life-sustaining society. And they may well call this the time of the Great Turning. It is happening now.
Whether or not it is recognized by corporate-controlled media, the Great Turning is a reality. Although we cannot know yet if it will take hold in time for humans and other complex life forms to survive, we can know that it is under way. And it is gaining momentum, through the actions of countless individuals and groups around the world. To see this as the larger context of our lives clears our vision and summons our courage.”
Joanna Macy, American author
Joanna Macy
The audio clip we played with author Joanna Macy, talking about The Great Turning, is from the inspiring, crowdfunded documentary ‘The Future of Energy’ – a documentary love story about “the renewable energy revolution” and positive change in the world.
“All around the world a powerful transition is taking place. Communities are building local movements to address economic instability and the worst effects of climate change. Energy lies at the heart of our global society, and how we consume it impacts everything from the air we breathe and the food we eat, to our jobs and the health of our families…”
A crowdfunding pledge video about the film was published on youtube.com on 27 March 2013.
» More information on www.thefutureofenergy.org
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Big problems require big solutions
Collecting a massive amount of signatures for the Climate Emergency Declaration petition is one way to visualise the public support for serious mobilisation.
» Add your name to the petition on www.climateemergencydeclaration.org/sign
ADDITIONAL:
In other news
From our notes of this week: news stories and events we think you should know about
When Pavan Gowda was just eight years old, he started Green Kids Now, an organisation with a clear goal: Get kids working together all around the world to raise awareness, take action, “and of course have a cleaner and healthier planet.”
During this critical moment in our planet’s history, Pavan Gowda isn’t waiting for adults to solve the climate crisis. He’s taking matters into his own hands – and getting other kids on board, too.
Today, Pavan is 16 years old and has become a Climate Reality Leader – a group of grassroots activists working to spread the truth about the climate crisis and inspire communities to take action. To date, Al Gore and his Climate Reality team have trained over 10,000 Climate Reality Leaders in over 135 countries.
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We love this article from @thecarbontrust – 16 reasons to be cheerful about climate change progress in 2016. https://t.co/s0KINdZt9v pic.twitter.com/h13h6bbvLp
— Global Action Plan (@globalactplan) December 16, 2016
Santa might need extra reindeer to pull his sleigh, due to effects of climate change https://t.co/0mGI2tLeNn pic.twitter.com/oOH1zaKN6W
— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) December 12, 2016
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Carbon neutral winery
Help combat climate change by drinking local this Christmas
Choosing wine for your Christmas table? Supporting Victoria’s wine industry is not only great for your palate, pocket and the economy, it’s good for the environment as well.
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» The Sydney Morning Herald – 14 December 2016:
Sustainable Style: recycled swimming togs are making a splash this summer
“Garbage is the buzziest swimwear ingredient this summer, being used in everything from bikinis to boardies and rash vests.”
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HOLIDAY READING
Putting wellbeing first
“It’s time to get real. The Earth’s environmental limits are the ultimate bottom line. Slowing the rapid trend towards disastrous higher temperatures demands economic transformation. This will be complex to achieve, but the guiding principle is simple: life offers rich possibilities far more satisfying than constant consumption. All of us who have more than enough, need to learn to become happily modest consumers.”
Teresa Belton, author of the book ‘Happier People Healthier Planet – How putting wellbeing first would help sustain life on Earth’
» The Conversation – 9 December 2016:
Your serious pursuit of happiness is key to protecting the planet
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» Inhabitat – 12 December 2016:
10 cool and crafty DIY holiday gifts you can make yourself
» Treehugger – 29 November 2016:
10 DIY gifts you can make in under an hour
“We’ve come up with a list of sane homemade gifts that will allow you to actually enjoy the days leading up to Christmas. From elegant funky fork bracelets to bath bombs and candied kumquats, all of these gifts take less than an hour to make, but still have plenty of bang for the buck.”
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2016: How First Dog on the Moon sums it up
Good news and real solutions
Climate change can be a worry, but it is important to learn about the positive things that are happening as well in regard to all the climate change action which is going on around the globe. Here are some examples worth mentioning as we celebrate and wish each other a Happy New Year:
» Carbon Trust – 14 December 2016:
Climate Change in 2016: 16 Reasons to be Cheerful
“Some of the highlights from 2016 that show how we might just get on track to deliver a sustainable, low carbon future.”
Bill Gates and investors worth $170 billion are launching a fund to fight climate change through energy innovation https://t.co/CJia38aJzW
— Quartz (@qz) December 12, 2016
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MELBOURNE & SYDNEY:
Taking the lead on developing innovative solutions to climate change
Melbourne and Sydney will take part in innovative public-private-collaboration process to develop solutions for their complex climate related challenges. The City Solutions Platform – a joint effort by the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, a network of more than 80 of the world’s greatest cities, representing over 600 million people and one quarter of the global economy, together with the Danish cleantech cluster CLEAN, and the International Cleantech Network (ICN) – will assist Melbourne in climate adaptation and water, and Sydney with renewable energy solutions. The platform supports early engagement between cities and the private sector to accelerate the deployment of innovative climate solutions.
The City of Copenhagen acts as an observer city for the CSP, providing valuable insights into public-private collaborations.
“Like many cities across the world, Copenhagen faces a vast number of environmental challenges. In order to meet these challenges, we need to engage in active partnerships with the private sector,” said Copenhagen Lord Mayor Frank Jensen. “We need room for new and innovative solutions and freedom to approach our challenges differently. The City Solutions Platform creates such room.”
» Media release 30 November 2016 on www.c40.org
“Mayors don’t look at climate change as an ideological issue. They look at it as an economic and public health issue. Regardless of the decisions of the incoming administration, US mayors will continue to deliver action and lead the way.”
~ Michael R. Bloomberg, C40 President of the Board and former Mayor of New York City
SOUTH AUSTRALIA:
Virtual clean energy ‘power plant’
A huge five-megawatt solar power station is being created across Adelaide by linking up hundreds of rooftop solar and home battery storage systems. Owners will share details of their storage data via the internet, making the whole network more reliable and able to respond quickly to disturbances.
The $20-million trial is being done by energy firm AGL, with $5 million of the funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), effectively creating a five-megawatt solar power station across Adelaide.
» ABC – 15 December 2016:
Virtual power plant links solar and battery storage in hundreds of Adelaide homes
VICTORIA:
Solar boom
Australia’s rooftop solar market has enjoyed its best month for nearly two years, with record volumes being set in Western Australia and Victoria now joining New South Wales and Queensland in having more than 1 gigawatt of rooftop capacity.
» One Step off the Grid – 14 December 2016:
Best rooftop solar month for two years as Victoria breaks 1GW solar mark
VICTORIA:
“Victoria to become the electric vehicle powerhouse”
Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced on 5 October 2016 that SEA Automotive in Geelong will receive $516,720 in funding to support its work producing electric powered commercial vehicles.
This grant will fund the first stage of a commercial electric vehicle manufacturing facility, with the long term aim of developing an innovative range of electric powered commercial vehicles.
Modular electric drive power pack systems will be installed in medium duty trucks. They can also be used to repower existing diesel trucks, creating an affordable transition to fleet electrification for transport operators.
The initiative is expected to create employment for around 80 highly skilled, automotive assembly workers in the Geelong region over the next four years.
This is one of 24 grants which will be announced in the coming months, with SEA Automotive obtaining funding under the Manufacturing category.
“This is an extremely important announcement for the Geelong community and we welcome these new jobs, particularly in light of the upcoming Ford closure,” said Member for Geelong Christine Couzens.
» Source: www.premier.vic.gov.au
VICTORIA / ACT:
Wind power on the way
Ararat Wind Farm, 180 kilometres northwest of Melbourne, is a shining example of the benefits that are flowing to regional communities through the ACT Government’s ambitious 100% renewable energy target. This 75 turbine project has had overwhelming community support and is already delivering jobs and economic growth to the local community.
The video is an interview with ex-Mayor of Ararat Rural Shire Council, Paul Hooper, who talks about just how important the jobs and economic benefits of hosting wind farms are for Ararat.
ACT:
Renewable jobs grow
Jobs growth in the ACT renewable energy sector in the past six years was 12 times faster than the national average, a report into the territory government’s action on climate change has revealed.
The Minister’s Report into Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction also showed the rate of job growth in the ACT’s renewables sector was six times higher than any other state and territory, as the government invested $12 million into a renewable energy industry development strategy.
» Canberra Times / The Age – 13 December 2016:
Renewable jobs grow as ACT drives down emissions from government operations by 17 per cent in three years
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“There is one, and only one, solution, and we have almost no time to try it. We must turn all our resources to repairing the natural world, and train all our young people to help. They want to; we need to give them this last chance to create forests, soils, clean waters, clean energies, secure communities, stable regions, and to know how to do it from hands-on experience.”
~ Bill Mollison
INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK
The way the wind is blowing…
» Quartz – 26 December 2016:
2016 was the year solar panels finally became cheaper than fossil fuels. Just wait for 2017
“The renewable energy future will arrive when installing new solar panels is cheaper than a comparable investment in coal, natural gas or other options. If you ask the World Economic Forum (WEF), the day has arrived.”
» Bloomberg – 17 December 2016:
Solar becoming cheapest form of electricity production
“A transformation is happening in global energy markets that’s worth noting as 2016 comes to an end: Solar power, for the first time, is becoming the cheapest form of new electricity.”
» Reuters – 16 December 2016:
China targets 2020 renewable power output of 1.9 trillion kilowatt hour
“This accounts for 27 percent of the country’s total power output, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said in its latest five-year plan for renewable energy on 16 December 2016. China has released a series of plans for its power industry, pledging to limit coal-fired power and further develop renewables supplies.”
» Bloomberg – 15 December 2016:
World Energy Hits a Turning Point: Solar That’s Cheaper Than Wind
“Emerging markets are leapfrogging the developed world thanks to cheap panels.” Article by Tom Randall
» Bloomberg New Energy Finance / RenewEconomy – 14 December 2016:
Global emissions fall for first time on shift away from coal in China, US
“The growth in global production of greenhouse gases has decelerated over the past few years, with 2015 seeing the first actual reduction, of 0.1% compared to 2014 levels, according to a European Union report published 6 December.”
» The Independent – 12 December 2016:
Bill Gates announces $1bn investment fund for clean energy technology
“Team-up with Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos and others aims to fight climate change – and reap ‘super’ rewards”
Tipping point for #CleanEnergy: unsubsidised #solar is cheapest form of new electricity – out-competing coal & gashttps://t.co/qgIW84AGHy pic.twitter.com/pFTaRl0qLX
— TransportEnvironment (@transenv) December 16, 2016
“Six more nations are pledging to simply ditch coal in favour of cleaner forms of power generation. These six nations are Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and Finland.”
» Futurism – 30 November 2016:
Six Countries Are Set to Completely Phase-Out Coal Power
» World Economic Forum – 27 October 2016:
Renewables have overtaken coal — the International Energy Agency says it’s a turning point
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“This is a conversation starter first, a video second. I’d love to hear your thoughts on cities, the future, and this project.
You can find some more thoughts, reading list and featured interviewees here: medium.com”
» Posted on www.vimeo.com
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Accelerating climate action
Key group of emerging nations builds 18% more renewable capacity than wealthier countries and four in five have now set national clean energy targets.
This video on Climatescope 2016 shows how climate action is accelerating around the world. Developing countries have made unprecedented pledges to consume more clean energy even as they are leading the way today with record new wind and solar project completions.
» More about Climatescope
Going 100 per cent
AUSTRALIA:
“A 100 per cent renewable grid is possible”
The Alternative Technology Association’s report ‘100% Renewable Energy Grid – Feasible?’ examines the possibility of a fully renewable energy grid in Australia and concludes that such a grid is doable and can play an important part in our commitments to fight climate change. A fully renewable electricity grid would provide long-term economic, climate and social benefits for Australia, according to the discussion paper published on 9 December 2016.
“We found all experts agree that a 100% renewable grid will be reliable and stable, as long as it uses an appropriate mix of renewable generation sources, energy storage and upgraded infrastructure,” said Andrew Reddaway, the paper’s author and ATA energy analyst.
During periods of calm, cloudy weather electricity could be sourced from sunny or windy parts of the country and supplemented with energy stores such as hydroelectric dams, molten salt heat storage, batteries, renewable gas and stockpiles of pelletised woody waste.
“This grid would be robust, with smarter renewable generators and batteries automatically injecting extra electricity when required for grid stability,” Mr Reddaway said.
“Similarly, smart appliances would detect disturbances in the grid and independently adjust their power level to compensate.”
» Download the discussion paper (PDF)
» ReNew Magazine – December 2016:
100% renewable grid: just how feasible is it?
Newstead community going 100% renewable
The Victorian town of Newstead has a vision of 100% locally generated, grid-connected, reliable, affordable renewable energy that also generates other benefits for the community.
» Read more: http://www.renewablenewstead.com.au
» One Step Off The Grid – 14 December 2016:
Google plans to be 100 per cent renewable next year
“Portland’s move represents a groundbreaking offensive strategy to block future fossil fuel export infrastructure.”
» The Nation – 21 December 2016:
This City Just Banned Virtually All New Dirty-Energy Infrastructure
“Portland, Oregon has adopted a first-of-its-kind offensive strategy to prevent new oil, gas, and coal export facilities from being built.” Article by Daphne Wysham
WATCH: this island now runs on nearly 100% solar energy thanks to 5,300+ panels and 60 #Tesla powerpacks. pic.twitter.com/Hez5kB554H
— Redford Center (@redfordcenter) December 14, 2016
“We can brag that the city, this city of Las Vegas, is one of the few cities in the entire world that can boast usin https://t.co/Zerr8Mk2FK
— BeyondZeroEmissions (@beyondzeronews) December 21, 2016
Related pages
» Centre for Climate Safety:
100% renewables and the ‘yes but’
» The Sustainable Hour – 28 December 2015:
Over 60 pieces of good news about climate action
“We have good news for you. Literally!”
» Pinterest board: 100% Renewable Energy
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» Phys.org – 13 December 2016:
Hottest Arctic on record triggers massive ice melt
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Help make 94.7 The Pulse into Geelong’s SOLAR radio station
The Pulse has launched its solar radio fund – and so far collected $3,500 – so we can offset the massive electricity costs in broadcasting a diverse range of programs. We need your support to make it happen:
94.7 The Pulse is Geelong’s community radio station. We broadcast over 80 radio programs, including 16 multicultural language programs and a weekly tv show, for nearly 250,000 people. That uses a lot of energy from our 130 volunteers, and a lot of electricity. So now we are buying SOLAR PANELS for the station and a SOLAR STAGE so we can broadcast anywhere.
We are determined to be a solar radio station – but we need your help! We have set up a crowdfunding campaign, with a range of goodies and rewards available, including merchandise and even the chance for “15 minutes of fame” on your favourite Pulse program!
Your assistance will bring not just an immediate benefit to The Pulse, but will contribute to our long-term future….helping to save the station money on our bills and save the environment! Help us save the planet, one broadcast at a time.
» Send your sunshine to the SOLAR RADIO FUND. Donate here:
www.generosity.com
» Find out more:
www.947thepulse.com
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Community energy congress in Melbourne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43_nORfhbSo
Lots to look forward to at the Community Energy Congress. The Early Bird special price finishes on Saturday so get in quick.
Also, meet Future Super and their entourage of clean energy experts from 6.30pm on Monday 27 February at Melbourne Town Hall for an evening of music, refreshments and engaging conversation. This evening event is free and open to the public. Here’s just a few of the fantastic speakers you’ll hear:
• Jeremy Leggart is a former oil executive turned social entrepreneur. After becoming concerned about climate change in the late 80s, Jeremy’s career took a U turn. He became a campaigner with Greenpeace before founding SolarCentury, the UK’s biggest solar company, and SolarAid, an international charity that combats poverty and climate change.
• Simon Corbell has spent more than 18 years as an MLA in the ACT. He has been instrumental in setting the policies that will see the ACT powered by 100% renewable energy by 2018, and is now advising the Victorian government on their renewable energy strategy.
• Greg Barber entered public life in 2002 as the first Green Mayor and has been the Victorian Greens Leader since 2010. A long-time champion of renewable energy, Greg’s insights will let you know what’s next for renewables.
• Alison Crook AO has a wealth of experience in the public, private, academic and not-for-profit sectors. After attending the inaugural Community Energy Congress, Alison was inspired to take action in her community. Today, Alison is the Chair of Enova Community Energy, a Northern Rivers community owned renewable energy company and social enterprise committed to local job creation and regional economic benefits.
Podcasts and posts about climate change
Acknowledgement
We at The Sustainable Hour would like to pay our respect to the traditional custodians of the land on which we are broadcasting, the Wathaurong People, and pay our respect to their elders, past, present and future.
The traditional owners lived in harmony with the environment and with the climate for hundreds of generations. It is not clear – yet – that as European settlers we have demonstrated that we can live in harmony for hundreds of generations, but it is clear that we can learn from the indigenous, traditional owners of this land.
When we talk about the future, it means extending our respect to those children not yet born, the generations of the future – remembering the old saying that…
The decisions currently being made around Australia to ignore climate change are being made by those who won’t be around by the time the worst effects hit home. How utterly disgusting, disrespectful and unfair is that?
Streaming live
» The Sustainable Hour is streamed live on the Internet every Wednesday from 11am to 12pm (Melbourne time):
www.947thepulse.com – click on ‘Listen Live’
Podcast archive
Hours and hours of sustainable podcasts
Listen to all of The Sustainable Hour radio shows in full length and in selected excerpts:
» Archive on climatesafety.info
» Archive on itunes.apple.com – iPhone friendly
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“Participation – that’s what’s gonna save the human race.”
Pete Seeger, American singer